The holiday is upon us and there'll be lots of picture taking going on this week. Do you want to make your holiday snapshots more meaningful this year? Here's a few of my favorite tips for taking better pictures of your family and kids this season:
1. Don't Chimp! What's "chimping"? Looking at the back of the camera to see what you've got. Look at the images later. While you are taking the pictures, focus on what's in front of your lens and capturing the moment. I've seen many moments missed because the camera operator is looking at the back of the camera to see what they got. Look at your first shot to make sure everything looks good exposure wise and shoot. Look at the rest later.
2. Get close. Use a longer lens, or walk closer. Fill up the frame with those beautiful little faces!
3. Your subjects DON'T have to look at you! Every time you ask your kids to look at you and smile, you're training them to give you the dreaded
fake smile. Capture the moment and the feeling of what's going on. Most times, the best images are the ones about the
feeling.
4. Get down on their level. You've probably got LOTS of pictures of your kids (or pets) looking down on them. This year, get down to their eye level. Squat down, kneel down, lay down. They'll engage more with you when you're on their level and you'll love the resulting image!
5. Put yourself in the picture! Don't forget to include yourself in the pictures. Hand your camera to someone else, use the timer, take a selfie or get creative and use a reflective surface. Just put yourself in the images. Your kids will thank you!
Bonus tip:
This year, DO something with your pictures! Whether you print them and put them in an old fashioned slip in album or create an online album and have that printed, make a coffee mug, a calendar or a refrigerator magnet. Pick a few or pick them all--print your photographs and enjoy them!
Happy holidays!
